I have some faith that they would. But as you must know by now, this change in the law is NOt just about Warners and this film. This affects all film productions conducted in New Zealand. And no, I do NOt have faith that all movie studios will treat their "contractors" in a way that is MORE fair than the law allows. The change in the law completely disincentives such fair treatment.

Now, a studio can draw up a contract for an independent contractor. The contractor signs on. As time passes, it becomes clear that the contractor is a contractor only in name. He or she does the work of an employee, is at the whim of the employer, has to use an employer's facilities, must adhere to the wildly varying and uncertain schedules of the employers, etc (see Voronwe's analysis for more). Yet despite this, the "independent contractor" will have no recourse to support his request to be reclassified as an employee. The studio, his or her employer, will have no incentive to do so because the law gives no incentive for it. And, of course, the contractor will have zero recourse. His or her options in that case are to keep working under these unfavorable conditions, quit, or be fired.

A bad law, constructed hastily under severe pressure, that needs to be changed. The significant split in the final vote is just one indication that this is much fishier than many thought.

We've had our drinks, we've sung our songs, and now its time to let sober analysis determine whether or not the right thing was done.